Psychology Careers

What are my career opportunities in psychology?

Many careers are enhanced by a knowledge of psychological principles.  For example, how depression, anxiety, fatigue, or stress affect people or how we might be biased in our judgements or in our recollection of events. Or how substance use, compulsive gambling, or eating disorders develop and are treated.

The Graduate Careers Council of Australia reports a strong demand for people with psychology qualifications in Australia. Careers that require interacting with people or that provide services and care for others will also benefit from the study of psychology. In addition, the research and data analysis skills we provide are highly valued in the workplace.

Psychology graduates can work in a range of industries including:

  • counselling
  • health and social welfare
  • research
  • human resources
  • marketing
  • government departments
  • professional psychologists

Psychology related careers

The following is a list of some of the jobs available to graduates with an accredited three-year sequence in Psychology. It has been compiled from reports of people who were employed on the basis of their three-year degree, and from Graduate Destination data:

  • Family Services Officer
  • Child and Family Therapist (Child Protection)
  • Youth Justice Officer
  • Community Road Safety Officer
  • Learning Support Personnel
  • Education Community Support Co-ordinator
  • Trainee Manager
  • Team Leader
  • Counsellor
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Human Resources Trainee Probation Officer
  • Assessment Officer
  • Youth Worker
  • Job Placement Officer
  • Social Welfare Officer
  • Project Manager, Mental Health Project
  • Rehabilitation Counsellor

Becoming a Psychologist

If you're interested in a career as a psychologist, you will need to complete an accredited Psychology fourth year program and plus two years accredited postgraduate training or supervised experience.